Passiflora incarnata MAYPOP (5 seeds)

Purple Passionflower, also known as Maypop is a climbing plant from the Passifloraceae family. It is native to the southeastern United States and Mexico. It is a medicinal vine that grows up to 8 meters in height and clings to supports using tendrils. This perennial disappears completely in winter in cold regions before resurfacing in the spring. It is one of the hardiest varieties of passionflower. Its growth is very rapid. It is necessary to have two different varieties to obtain fruit, as cross-pollination is imperative.

Its leaves are alternate and deeply divided into three pointed lobes. They are medium to dark green with a finely serrated edge. On the underside of the leaf, the blade is sometimes lighter. Fine tendrils, located in the leaf axils, allow the plant to cling firmly to any support to climb.

The flower is a complex and spectacular structure 6 to 9 centimeters in diameter. It consists of white or pale lavender sepals and petals, topped with a crown of fringed, wavy filaments colored purple and white. It gives off a sweet and pleasant fragrance.

Its fruit, called "maypop," is a fleshy berry about the size of a chicken egg. Ovoid in shape, its skin is smooth and turns from green to yellowish-yellow at maturity. The fruit of the incarnata is edible and has a tangy flavor.

Maypop seeds from Passiflora incarnata are oval, rough, and brown in color. They are surrounded by a pulpy and juicy envelope called an aril, which constitutes the edible part. The seeds themselves are rough and feature a pitted surface.

- Uses:

This spectacularly beautiful climber transforms or beautifies any spot or structure in the garden. Its fascinating flowers with a delicate fragrance are highly decorative and bring an exotic touch to pergolas, trellises, balconies, and hedges. It is ideal for vertical and aromatic landscaping. Its high hardiness allows it to withstand frosts down to -15°C.

This famous passionflower is highly prized for its therapeutic virtues. It is the true medicinal passionflower, one of the most widely used in traditional phytotherapy. It is attributed with calming, sedative, relaxing, and soothing effects. Its use is often linked to the reduction of stress, anxiety, and nervousness. The aerial parts are traditionally prepared in infusions or decoctions.
Do not consume without medical advice from a healthcare professional.

Its fruits are edible at maturity and are consumed raw or as juice and jam.

- Germination and Sowing:

• The best period for sowing medicinal passionflower is from May onwards.
• Sow the seeds in small individual pots about 5 millimeters deep in fine potting soil.
• Tamp down the soil well and water gently.
• Finally, place the small pots in a greenhouse to help them sprout more quickly.
• The temperature should be at least 25°C to 35°C.
• Germination is quite slow; it will begin 4 to 6 weeks after planting.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

This vine appreciates rich, deep garden soil well-supplied with organic matter. The soil must be well-drained, as stagnant moisture in winter is the main cause of root rot.

- Exposure / Sunlight:

Passiflora incarnata requires full sun exposure to flower and fruit generously. It needs heat to start its growth, which is often late in the spring. A situation sheltered from prevailing winds, such as against a south-facing wall, is ideal for protecting its stems and concentrating the heat necessary for fruit ripening.

- Temperature / Hardiness:

This is one of the most cold-resistant passionflowers. Its rootstock can withstand temperatures dropping to -15°C, or occasionally lower if the soil is mulched and dry. It is important to note that the aerial parts freeze; the plant disappears completely in winter.

- Watering / Water Needs:

During the growth and flowering period, water needs are high. Regular watering is necessary to keep the soil cool, especially during high heat, to prevent flower buds from falling.

- Multiplication:

Reproduction is done by seed, cuttings, or division of suckers. Collecting the shoots that appear naturally around the mother plant in the spring is the simplest and fastest method to obtain new identical plants.

- Pests / Diseases:

The plant can be targeted by aphids on young shoots and red spider mites if the atmosphere is too dry and burning. In indoor or greenhouse cultivation, mealybugs may appear.